Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) what’s happening? what’s going on?

1952		J. Jones From Here to Eternity (1998) 856: What gives, Sarge?’ ‘Whats the deal, First?’.
1959		A. Zugsmith Beat Generation 78: Now what’s the big deal?
1976		Jenkins & Shrake Limo 41: ‘Everybody wants to talk to me all the sudden. What’s the deal?’ .
1980		Funky 4 + 1 ‘That’s the Joint’ 🎵 What’s the deal, what’s the deal?
1996		Eble Sl. and Sociability 100: Question forms such as these versions of how are you? signal that a response is in order: [...] what’s shaking?what’s the deal?what’s up?
2000		Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 dealie yo Definition: to inquire about what is or has been happening. Example: What’s the dealie yo?

2. what’s the problem?

1992		D. Burke Street Talk 2 9: What is your/his/her/their deal? exp. ‘What is your/his/her/their problem?’.
1997		Eble Campus Sl. Apr. 8: what’s your deal? – what is your problem?